U.S. Department of Labor and Stakeholders Sign a Partnership Agreement to Train and Protect Workers on Obama Presidential Center from Construction Hazards
Occupational Health & Safety Magazine
The U.S. DOL’s OSHA, Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, Lakeside Alliance and key participants have signed a strategic partnership to prevent serious hazards and enhance workplace safety and health practices for workers constructing the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park in Chicago. The Lakeside Alliance is a joint venture between Powers & Sons Construction Co., UJAMAA Construction Inc., Brown & Momen Inc., Safeway Construction Co. and Turner Construction Co.
“Construction safety requires planning ahead to work safely, using the right equipment and training employees about hazards and safety precautions,” said OSHA’s Chicago South Area Director James Martineck in Tinley Park, Illinois. “OSHA’s partnership aims to protect the thousands of workers bringing the Obama Presidential Center to reality. Compliance and cooperation efforts by all parties on this project will maintain a safe and healthy work environment.”
Lakeside Alliance will implement a strategic safety and health system patterned after OSHA’s “Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs in Construction.” The partnership calls for all contractors on-site to perform daily audits and for all employees to receive a site-specific construction safety orientation covering jobsite safety and health issues and work procedures. Additionally, bilingual safety and health instructors will provide training to all workers in their language.
“The Lakeside Alliance will work with program partners to develop an extraordinary team culture creating a comprehensive safety and health management system that demonstrates a high standard of care for each other. This inclusive approach identifies and mitigates risks, engages those closest to the risk, provides training to increase capabilities, and integrates a risk analysis observation process with feedback to coach, support and recognize safe practices,” added Michael Blackburn, Lakeside Alliance’s safety representative.